Aaron Cook's future with Sky Sox, Colorado Rockies unclear

About 100 hardy fans saw the Sky Sox rally fall short but they missed what may be their last opportunity to watch pitcher Aaron Cook.

Cook was the scheduled starter for the Sky Sox but did not make an appearance after a four-hour rain delay moved the 11:05 a.m. Wednesday game to 3:13 p.m. at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs.

Sky Sox manager Glenallen Hill was unable to say much about Cook after the 8-6 loss to the Iowa Cubs.

'It was a combination of things, ' Hill said. 'That's really all I am able to say. '

The veteran right-hander (0-3, 7.40 ERA) has an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract and might have used it. He was long gone from the clubhouse by the end of the Pacific Coast League game and not available to comment.

When asked when Cook's next turn in the rotation, Hill replied, 'To be announced. It is ultimately up to him. '

The place was packed because of a Math Day promotion for elementary and middle school students resulting in a paid attendance of 5,847. But the rain began 25 minutes before game time and they were gone by 1 p.m.

They missed a good rally five hours later.

Doubles by Sky Sox catcher Lars Davis, Hernan Iribbaren and Corey Dickerson added to the Sky Sox's league-leading doubles total (77) and netted two runs to make it 8-6.

Colorado Springs (18-13) still had the bases loaded but could not inch closer.

'We did a good job getting back into the game and we had a chance, ' Hill said.

Iowa of the American North division took a 6-4 lead thanks to two doubles, including a drive to right-center field by Brad Nelson that reached the warning track. That ended the day for reliever Mike McClendon (0-2), who took the loss.

Brian Bogusevic hit his second home run of the season, driving a Manny Corpas offering to make it 7-4 in the top of the eighth. The Cubs (12-18) added another insurance run for a four-run cushion.

After threatening in the first, Iowa scored four runs, two unearned, on four hits and a Sky Sox error for a 4-0 lead against pitcher Cory Riordan, who started and lasted 2 ? innings. He was the first of five relievers to appear due to Cook's absence.

'Riordan is typically a three-plus innings guy but he ended up in some hitters' counts, ' Hill said. 'He hadn't pitched for us in four days so I thought he would be OK. Corpas went deeper into the (pitch) counts than I would like. (Logan) Kensing pitched well. '

Notes

Iowa left fielder Darnell McDonald is a former Cherry Creek High School standout. ... Sky Sox DJ LeMahieu's single in the fourth extended his hit streak to a team-high 17 games.